The Universe

The sky and outer space have fascinated man for centuries and the History Channel's series The Universe is the story of man's study of the cosmos from his earliest attempts to map and understand the heavens through modern day scientific studies, advances, and theories.

A mix of historical footage, modern space imaging, and conceptual computer graphics presented in high-definition, the visual component of this production is absolutely breathtaking. Each of the episodes begins with a general introduction of subjects ranging from the sun to individual planets, alien galaxies, the search for extra-terrestrial life, and scientific theories like the Big Bang.

Each topic is then broken down into a series of segments that detail specific ideas, theories, or components integral to the understanding of the main topic as well as historical material, current studies and theories, and projections of potential future events and scientific advances.

The episodes also cover a wide range of topics, from Cosmic Holes to Cosmic Collisions, from supernovas to gravity. There are episodes about the weather in space, the largest objects in space (hint: they're really, really big, like the so-called cosmic web of galaxies, which is a hundred million billion times bigger than Earth), and traveling to and colonizing space.

We once considered ourselves to be at the center of the universe - now we know that we are just a small speck in a giant cosmos. The Universe ventures outside of our solar system in another epic exploration of the universe and its mysteries. Discover "alcohol clouds," which are filled with organic molecules, and learn about a hypothetical planet that may exist beyond Neptune.

Using stunning HD graphics, The Universe transport viewers past the wonders of our own solar system and out to the bizarre far-flung reaches of the cosmos. From death stars to ringed planets, star clusters to space wars, The Universe uses new discoveries and more advanced CGI to help explain the mysteries of outer space.

From wormholes to transporters, examine which elements from popular sci-fi movies could really exist; and discover how the universe is awash in all sorts of strange liquids, from oceans of methane to blobs of alcohol floating in space, and even iron rain.

38 Comments / User Reviews

If the Perfect Sun Storm that happened in 1859 didn't do much of a damage, imagine what damage it could cause if it happens tomorrow ?
it's definitively scary and it get even scarier when you realize that electric blackouts do not only last for days or weeks, they can actually last up to TEN YEARS !By then, we will find ourselves experiencing the Stone Age once again.

We know that our solar system is formed from the remnants of a super nova because we have elements heavier than iron (such as gold, uranium, osmium, silver, ...) around. Nuclear fusion releases energy until you start trying to fuse iron, producing elements heavier than iron requires energy rather than producing energy. So, everything heavier than iron requires a super nova to produce it.

The outer planets are mostly hydrogen and other light elements whereas the inner planets are mostly rock, iron, and other heavy things. The solar wind from the sun tends to push light elements to the outer solar system as would a super nova. I don't think you have "chunks" of anything after a super nova, you have plasma and atomic gasses which sort themselves from heaviest to lightest: make yourself a pile of rocks, sand, and dust then blow on it and see where the heavy "chunks" end up.

Hear them subtly implying a catastrophe in 2012 without even acknowledging the already present superstitions about 2012?
Something fishy about that. It's the history Channel.

Also, in part 1, they explain that the formation of the planets and our star is the aftermath of the explosion of a supernova...
I'm far from an expert in astronomy, but my instinct tells me that if the heavenly objects in our solar system were formed by gravity from the cosmic dust of a supernova, our solar system would have formed in a much more geometric manner, with a clear pattern of evident matter clumping.
It also doesn't make sense that mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, planets that are relatively small in comparison to Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn and Uranus, are located closest to the sun. You would expect post supernova matter to accumulate in the biggest chunks at the original point of explosion, NOT at the outward reaches of space.

I never thought of it like that but, your right I think. Cool that we all agree on something, huh. Actually, perhaps we all agree on a lot but, it's no fun to agree about something. If you'll notice when people agree they post about three times or so at the most. One makes the assertion and then the other says something like, "I totally agree." then the first guy may thank them for their agreement and that's that.

But when we disagree wow, we have over 500 posts on the doc. about creationism. I would venture a guess that i have posted about twenty times their and others have posted even more. Yes it does get a little repetitive on that particular thread but you know what I mean, I hope. Part of it is that it takes longer to disagree, more words to explain yourself I mean. But it is also human nature to spend more time on the negative than the positive, in my experience. Kind of sad when you look at it like that.

Yep he is the owner and a really cool guy. You'll get to know him some if you stick around. he stays pretty nuetral but does post from time to time.He goes out and gets these docs together and lets us ramble on and on all for free, that rules.This was a great collection to put up Vlatko, thanks.I think I like the astronomy/physics stuff the best, well maybe Richard dawkins stuff ties with it. Yeah i would say it definetly does, more Dawkins please. we get really good comment sections going on almost all of the docs by Dawkins.Plus i grew up with the guy and he is the best, very comforting to me to hear his voice it seems.

I have one concerning Hawkins new book and wether it truly shows evidence that will have a sugnificant impact on peoples faith in a creator. It goes into string theory and M theory very litely but spend most of its time disscussing the impact on religouse faith. If you don't mind I'll post it as well. In the past i have always just posted them and let you moderate wether they get through or not but I guess i could just ask, huh.Can i post it?

@ Eric, I hope Vlatko doesn't mind. I would like to get those links. I have several seasons down loaded from bit torrent but I don't think i have three or four.Can he post the link Vlatko- P L E A S E.